Medical Staff
- Leigh Anne Bearden
- Keevil Helmly
- Tammi D'Elena
- Amy Ledbetter
- Heather Dean
- Elizabeth Mallcott
- Rolvin Lentsch, N.P.-C.
- Tiffany Parker
- Sara Chaney, M.A.
- Hiral Patel
- Tara Pirkle
- Joan E. Rodriguez
- Linda M. Stahelek
- Katrina Farrow
- Esther Askew
- Thomas Guerrein
- Katherine Honeycutt
- Mark Bass, PA-C
- Laura Pratesi
Administrative Director
Leigh Anne Bearden, RN
Leigh Anne Bearden joined our practice in 2005 as our clinical nurse manager and was promoted in 2006 to the position of administrative director. She received her nursing degree from Dekalb College and subsequently received her associate's degree in business from Reinhardt College. Mrs. Bearden has been a registered nurse for 17 years and has experience as a nurse in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Her experience has included medical, surgical and cardiac duties in the hospital. As an outpatient nurse, she has been the nursing director for a large family practice, and, for seven years, the nursing director for a large pediatric office. Mrs. Bearden is responsible for the management of our entire practice, both administrative and clinical. Her vast experience is a great addition to our clinical practice, and we feel fortunate to have her. Her goal is to ensure that our staff is highly trained and in tune with the needs of our patients.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Tara Pirkle
Mrs. Tara Pirkle, a native of Georgia, joined our practice in March of 2007 as our clinical nurse director. Tara comes with seven years of clinical and office manager experience in an Internal Medicine office. She has worked in the medical field for 20 years which has given her a great deal of experience in billing, front office, back office, and management. Her vast experience is a great addition to our practice. Mrs. Pirkle currently resides in Dawsonville, Georgia with her husband and 2 children. Her hobbies include camping, singing (although her family prefers she not) and spending time with family and friends. She is very active in her community participating in various volunteer opportunities. As clinical manager, Mrs. Pirkle’s goal is to ensure that our staff provides the best possible care for our patients.
Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants
Hiral Patel, RPA-C
Hiral Patel joined the Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute in March, 2007. She is a board certified Physician Assistant licensed to practice in the States of New York, Washington DC, Virginia, and Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Miami-FL, and a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant with Honors from Long Island University-NY. Since graduating in 2005, Mrs. Patel has worked in the fields of Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, and Urgent Care. Mrs. Patel maintains professional affiliations with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the New York State Society of Physician Assistants. She is also certified in Advanced and Basic Cardiac Life Support (ACLS & BCLS) through the American Heart Association. She recently moved to Georgia with her husband and enjoys swimming, reading, and the outdoors. Mrs. Patel has a passion for medicine and strives to provide the best possible care to her patients.
Keevil Helmly, PA-C
Keevil joined the ENT Institute in August 2009. A native of Atlanta, he graduated from Georgia Tech and eventually entered Emergency Medicine as an EMT. After several years as a Paramedic at Grady Memorial Hospital, he attended Emory University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program. During that time, he had the profound honor to serve as the American Academy of Physician Assistants’ (AAPA) Student Academy President. This included many trips to Washington, DC to lobby Congress on PA issues and sit on the Board of the AAPA for 2 years. Surviving this experience and Emory, Keevil graduated with Honor in 1988 and began his PA career on the Cardiothoracic team at Emory. The arrival of his first child prompted a move to General Medicine at Grady which had hours more conducive to family life. The desire to return to a surgical specialty triggered a move to the ENT clinic at Grady where he additionally served as a Clinical Preceptor for PA students. He met Dr. Gallups there during his Residency years. Eighteen years later, they have resumed the camaraderie of diagnosing and treating ENT disorders for metro Atlanta patients. He is a Fellow in both AAPA and Georgia Academy of Physician Assistants.
Tammi D'Elena, RPA-C
Tammi D'Elena is a certified physician's assistant who has been working in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute with Dr. Jeffrey Gallups. Ms. D'Elena received her bachelor of science degree in speech pathology in West Virginia and went on to receive her masters degree in audiology, a branch of medicine dealing with hearing and balance disorders. She graduated magna cum laude. Ms. D'Elena obtained a second masters degree in physician assistant studies at Wayne State University in Michigan. She resides in Dunwoody and is an avid runner and sports' fan. She also enjoys music and travel. Ms. D'Elena is committed to providing the best possible care for her patients.
Esther Askew, PA-C
Esther Askew, PA-C joined the Ear, Nose and Throat Institute in July, 2011. She is a Georgia licensed and NCCPA board certified Physician Assistant. After attending Samford University, Mrs. Askew earned her Bachelor of Physician Assistant degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2002 and obtained her Master's of Physician Assistant Studies Degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2006. Since graduating with Honors in 2002, Mrs. Askew has gained experience in both Family Medicine and ENT. Mrs. Askew practiced with Dr. N. Hadley Heindel, III and Dr. James G. Burson in a multi-specialty clinic in Newnan, Georgia, prior to joining the staff at ENT Institute. Mrs. Askew brings eight years of ENT experience and primarily works now at the Newnan location with Dr. Heindel. She maintains current certifications for Advanced and Basic Life Support (ACLS and BLS) and is a fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA), and Society of Physician Assistants in Otolaryngology (SPAO).
Rolvin Lentsch, N.P.-C.
Rolvin joined the ENT Institute in July 2012, and he comes from 2 years in rural Georgia primary care practice. He has a varied backround starting with an eight year stint in the US Army and achieving the rank of Captain; earning his pilot's wings in rotary wing aircraft; and the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and the Distingushed Flying Cross while flying in Vietnam. After moving to Atlanta, he earned his first Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an Accounting major and began a twenty-four year career with Hewlett-Packard. Mid-career he returned to school and completed a Masters of Science in Human Resources, earning both of these degrees from Georgia State University.
With early retirement one career ends and another begins. After returning to school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kennesaw State University, and then went to work for Wellstar at Kennestone Hospital in a surgical step down unit. Receiving encouragement from some of the doctors at Kennestone, he again returned to school this time earning his Masters in Nursing from North Georgia College and State University and certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
Rolvin has four children and is involved in Boy Scouts with his youngest son, and sports with his youngest daughter. His oldest son is married and expecting a daughter in October 2012, and his oldest daughter lives nearby and is becoming an avid fisherwomen. He is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia, and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. His spare time also includes the continuing renovation of his family's one hundred and four year old home.
Mark Bass, PA-C
Mark Bass joined the Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute in July of 2012. He attended the University of West Georgia receiving a Bachelors degree in Biology and then Mercer University Physician Assistant Program and graduated with a Masters in Medical Science. He is certified by the American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support and is a member of American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA). He lives in Suwanee, GA with his wife and will be predominantly working in the Buford and Lawrenceville locations.
Audiologists
Elizabeth Mallcott, M.A., C.C.C.-A
Elizabeth Mallcott is a GA licensed audiologist who joined our practice in December 2007. A native of Georgia, she has an undergraduate degree in speech language pathology from the University of West Georgia, where she graduated with honors. She received her Master's degree in audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2001. Prior to joining our practice, Ms. Mallcott was a pediatric audiologist for over 6 years. Her professional interests include evaluation of hearing disorders in pediatrics and adults, hearing aid evaluations, dispensing and counseling. She currently resides in Cumming with her husband, James, and young son.
Linda M. Stahelek, M.A., C.C.C.-A
Linda Stahelek joined our practice in October of 2002. A native of Massachusetts, she has an undergraduate degree in communication disorders from the University of Massachusetts. She received her master’s degree in audiology from Northwestern University in Illinois. Linda is a licensed and certified audiologist and has practiced audiology for 20 years in various medical settings. She has a great interest in adult and pediatric hearing disorders, hearing aid evaluation, dispensing and counseling. Linda is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association as well as the Greater Atlanta Audiological Society. She currently resides in Alpharetta with her husband Tom and two sons.
Laura Pratesi, Au.D., C.C.C.-A, F-AAA
Dr. Pratesi is a Georgia native and licensed audiologist who joined the ENT Institute in 2012. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Auburn University with an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders in 2008. After that, she went on to graduate with honors in her Doctor of Audiology program from Auburn in 2012. Dr. Pratesi is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and has her clinical certificate of confidence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Dr. Pratesi's interests include evaluation of pediatric hearing disorders, amplification and rehabilitation of adult hearing disorders. Dr. Pratesi volunteers once a month at Wesley Woods retirement community. She also works with the Coweta County School System, meeting the audiological needs of students with hearing loss. Dr. Pratesi currently resides in Newnan, GA with her husband.
Joan E. Rodriguez, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Joan Englehart Rodriguez joined ENT Institute in August 2007 with 28 years experience in clinical audiology. A native of Pennsylvania, she earned her Bachelor of Art degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland in 1978 and her Master of Science degree in Audiology from Penn State University in 1979. In 2003 she received her Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Dr. Rodriguez is licensed by the state of Georgia and is certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). She was appointed by the governor of Georgia to serve on the Georgia State Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Dispensers from 1991 through 1997. She has practiced audiology in various medical settings, including hospitals, public health, and a large multi-specialty organization in Atlanta. Her greatest interests include adult and pediatric hearing disorders, and adult balance disorders. She has two children, both currently attending college. She resides in Duluth, GA.
Amy Ledbetter, AuD, FAAA, CCC-A
While only recently joining our practice, Dr. Amy Ledbetter has been a practicing clinical audiologist for 14 years. Although originally from the midwest, she moved to Mississippi as a child and made her home there for many years. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 1995 and then her Master's degreein Audiology in 1997 from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2009, she completed her doctoral degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Ledbetter is a GA licensed audiologist and Board Certified by the American Academy of Audiology. She is also a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. Dr. Ledbetter is passionate about serving the hearing healthcare needs of all populations although her expertise lies in the diagnosis and management of hearing loss in adults, including hearing aid dispensing, as well as counseling and rehabilitation. Dr. Ledbetter currently resides in Cumming with her husband, Adam.
Heather Dean, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Heather Dean joined ENT Institute in July 2011. A native of Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama in 2007 and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of South Alabama in 2011. Dr. Dean is licensed in the state of Georgia and is certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Her greatest interests include adult and pediatric hearing disorders, and balance disorders. She resides in Peachtree City, GA.
Katrina Farrow, M.S., FAAA
Katrina Farrow has been a Georgia licensed audiologist since 1993. A native of Northwest Florida, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Florida, followed by a Master of Science degree in Audiology from the University of South Florida.
Ms. Farrow is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology. She enjoys all aspects of her profession, but has special interests in hearing aid dispensing and testing for balance disorders. She currently resides in Lithonia, Georgia.
Thomas Guerrein Au.D CCC-A/FAAA
Dr. Thomas Guerrein is a Georgia licensed audiologist who joined ENT Institute in February 2012. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University in 2007 and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of South Alabama in 2011.
Dr. Guerrein is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. His greatest interests include evaluation of hearing disorders in adult and pediatric populations, adult balance testing, and hearing aid dispensing. He currently resides in Vinings, GA.
Katherine Honeycutt, AuD, CCC-A, F-AAA
Dr. Honeycutt joined our practice in May 2012. She graduated with her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2005. She has been a devoted pediatric audiologist for eight years and is excited to be a member of the team at the ENT Institute and provide hearing care for all ages.
Dr. Honeycutt is an activist for the hearing impaired. She has a passion for early hearing loss identification, intervention, and language acquisition. She has led a team of experts on medical mission trips to Mexico and participates annually as an audiologist in local community outreach programs, including GA Special Olympics and Give a Kid a Chance. She is dedicated to afford individuals healthy ears and the ability to communicate at their highest potential.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Tiffany Parker
Tiffany Parker is the Speech-Language Pathologist at The ENT Institute in Georgia. She provides patients 4 years old and up with evaluations, treatments and education for the following:
- Speech
- Language
- Cognition
- Voice
- Swallowing (dysphasia)
- Dysarthria
- Stuttering
She often works with patients who have suffered from strokes, head injuries, dementia, neurological disorders, and other conditions that can affect speech and language.
Ms. Parker earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Communications Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University. She is certified in DPNS (Deep Pharyngeal Nerve Stimulation), a swallowing (dysphasia) therapy technique, Lindamood Bell LIPS, a reading/dyslexia program, and Lindamood Bell Visualzing/Verbalizing (auditory comprehension/reading program). She is also a certified SpeechEasy provider and a Vocational Rehabilitation provider.
Ms. Parker's clinical experience includes:
- FEEs (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
- MBS (Modified Barium Swallow)
- Videostroboscopy
- Working with trachs/vent patients
- Voice patients
- Stuttering (includes SpeechEasy device)
- Basic conversational skills in sign language
Sara Chaney, M.A. CCC-SLP
Sara Chaney is a very passionate speech/language pathologist at the ENT Institute in Georgia. Her goals are to increase education and awareness for speech pathology-related disorders and improve the lives of those affected by these disorders through providing high quality diagnostics and treatment services. She upholds the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Clinical Certificate of Competency in addition to a speech pathology license in the state of Georgia. She also is a competent endoscopist, certified VitalStim provider, certified Voice Therapy Spectrum Clinical Provider, and trained Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis placement provider. She has several years of experience in the acute, rehab, and endoscopic/diagnostic settings, and provides evaluations/diagnostics and therapy for the following:
- Voice disorders (including endoscopy, videostroboscopy, and vocal function measurements)
- Swallowing disorders (including Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—FEES and VitalStim therapy)
- Head/neck cancer-related disorders
- TEP placements/changes
- Speech/Language/Communication disorders
- Cognitive Impairments
- Dysarthria
- Degenerative diseases/Neurological disorders
Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Miami University (Ohio), and her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati. She has a strong passion for this profession because it gives her the opportunity to be of great help to those who have lost (or may be losing) abilities we may daily take for granted (speech/communication, swallowing, and breathing). She resides in Atlanta, GA and is also very active with health and fitness in the community.
Testimonials:
"I recently had endoscopic sinus surgery and rhinoplasty surgery. Dr. Gallups made me feel comfortable and confident in my decision to have surgery. He did an amazing job and the surgery went extremely well. The results are exactly what I wanted and I feel and breathe better."
- Laura B., Alpharetta, GA
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